Happy National Rescue Dog Day
by Jacquilyn Davis
According to nationalrescuedogday.com, “Rescue dogs often overcome extreme obstacles and yet provide comfort, security, and friendship as family pets… [They] provide a variety of therapeutic benefits. Children, teens, and adults with autism may benefit from services provided by trained rescue dogs. As emotional support companions, rescue dogs help to relieve anxiety, depression, and PTSD among the military or those who suffer from mental illness… When it comes to four-legged friends, they improve the human condition by leaps and bounds, barks, and yips. It’s hard to imagine a more loving, worthy companion.”
According to me, rescue dogs are the absolute best and my dog Papi is my number one “tool” in my self-care toolkit. Spending time with him has such a calming effect. I’ve never met a more “chill” dog than Papi. He loves to snuggle, give kisses, encourage nap time for the whole family, and share bananas. Yes, he loves bananas.
Ever since I was a teenager I struggled with depression. I would go from one extreme to the other from debilitating sadness to heated anger and it took years to find the best tools that worked to combat these symptoms. When I took Papi home, I become Fur Mama – a protector and caretaker for this 13 pound chiweenie. That meant I had to be on top of my game to give him food, water, medication, and love on a regular basis. You can’t pour from an empty glass, so I found purpose in caring for him that not only motivated me to be better, but it warmed my heart like nothing else.
I don’t know how many mornings I would wake up feeling like I was trapped at the bottom of a barrel – dark, sad, hopeless… not wanting to do anything but go back to sleep and ignore the world – but then came Papi! *lick* *lick* *lick* on my nose until I’d giggle and get out of bed. He always knows when I need a boost and his magic kisses and fuzzy snuggles help bring me back.
